“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” (Matthew 5:9 The Message Bible)
Here’s something to think about before you attend worship service this morning. If the world were full of Christians, there would be no need for peacekeeping troops on any continent. There would be no need to increase local police forces to keep the peace. In fact, that need would be minimized and welcomed by the people. If the world was full of Christians, there would be no need for arbitrators to settle arguments between adversaries that can’t work things out. In schools, hall monitors would be unnecessary, and the Dean’s office would be like a vacant space, awaiting to be delegated to some other use. If the world were filled with true Christians, divorce rates would be slashed by dramatic numbers and much of the domestic violence in our communities would be a thing of the past. If, yes, if the world were full of Christians, peace would not only be visible on the streets, but it would be a welcomed sight that characterizes every home and every relationship.
Mall fights, senseless fights, playground fights, downtown fights, after big event fights, and those fights that occur between family members after an elder goes home to glory would be a micro-fraction of what we see today, if the world were full of Christians.
That’s a big “if” isn’t it? Well, let’s bring it down to your world, your sphere of relationships and the space you call home. What if you, a Christian, would work on being peacemakers in your places and spaces? The “if” is not so big if we do what we can and are capable of doing to maintain or bring about peace in our respective worlds. Let’s give it a try. Shall we? Can we do it my friend? That last inquiry seems to be an unnecessary question because I know you can. Now go worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Go be edified, educated, enlightened, and enhanced by the power that comes with God’s word!
Here is a final suggestion that you might find beneficial. Make the first part of Psalm 120:7, as seen below, your focused mantra or motto this week. Be blessed!
“I am for peace…” (Psalm 120:7a NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King